Technical Skills Instructor in Civil Engineering

 Purpose

The School of Engineering provides innovative undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Due to the continued growth and success of our engineering teaching and growing research profile, we wish to appoint a Technical Skills Instructor in Engineering to support the laboratory teaching and research activities. 

1. Under the direction of the Head of School or nominee, the post holder contributes to the effective running of the School by providing technical and practical support to students and staff with research and teaching. This includes responsibility for the supervision of students working in workshops and laboratories. This role relates specifically to Engineering, on the basis that the incumbent will support other activities, as and when required. The range of activities could include manufacturing and expertise/experience of workshop practice, maintenance, systems, simulation in any one or more of these areas is highly desirable. Experience of instruction of workshop practice is desirable.
2. To provide the staff and students of the School with skilled, technical support for the design and manufacture of unique devices, the repair, modification and construction of new and existing equipment and rigs and the manufacture of new components.
3. Conducts materials tests and measurements according to prescribed methodology and procedural guidelines of Civil Engineering.
4. Conducts field inspections, and collects and prepares samples for testing.
5. To work as part of a team providing a service to both teaching and research in the School. Also, contribute to the teaching and supervision of undergraduates in the use of machine/hand tools and during final year individual research projects.
6. The candidate should hold a relevant technical or engineering degree.

 Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides technical support as required in workshops and/or laboratories within the Faculty, providing specialist support in areas of expertise. This includes preparing workshops and/or laboratories for practical classes, undertaking the operation, training on and demonstration of equipment and machinery as required, and participating in research and consultancy activities as required.
• Takes responsibility for the day-to-day operation of specified workshops, and/or laboratories, and/or equipment, ensuring effective and efficient resource usage is maintained.
• Undertakes health and safety supervision of students using workshops and/or laboratories, ensuring safe methods and systems of working in accordance with statutory and University requirements. This includes supervision of students working on high-risk machinery and equipment.
• Under the direction of academic staff, provides skilled assistance in the preparation of teaching and research aids. Including; devising and delivering the workshop and/or laboratory instruction, and contributing to the workshop and/or laboratory assessments.
• Support the design and fabrication of a wide range of “bespoke” components for use with individual and group student project work, using a variety of materials.
• Provides skilled assistance, technical guidance and training to students, academic, and research staff, advising on relevant techniques and required safety precautions.
• Contributes to the installation and commissioning of equipment and instrumentation in workshops and/or laboratories, liaising with external bodies as necessary.
• Contributes to the design, development, and modification of equipment and instrumentation as required for teaching, research and consultancy activities.
• Completes documentation and maintains computerized and manual records associated with laboratory operations, e.g. stock recording, inventory, workshop and laboratory timetabling.
• Keeps abreast of new techniques and industry standards within identified specialist areas.
• Contributes to and participates in any staff development and training activities within the Faculty and/or University as deemed appropriate.
• Contributes to arrangements for and participates in Faculty Open Days and other events as required and appropriate.
• Assists in all areas of the Faculty’s technical work as directed and undertakes general duties as and when required.
• Inspects field sites to observe and evaluate condition and operability of facilities and structures, and to collect field survey data and measurements.
• Obtains and prepares the soil, rock, and structural samples for testing and evaluation, using a variety of pre-established and/or devised methods, techniques, and equipment.
• Following standardized protocol and procedures, conducts a variety of complex tests and measurements on materials proposed for use in civil engineering projects; develops procedures for non-standard tests, as required.
• Sets up, calibrates, and utilizes data acquisition/recording equipment and instrumentation; troubleshoots and repairs equipment and instruments as required.
• Records and calculates test results, using standardized methods and formulae; checks data and calculations for quality,